Rugby: Unions at odds over Lions

By Chris Rattue

The New Zealand Rugby Football Union believes it still has a chance of altering the British Lions' touring schedule so they play in this country more frequently than the existing 12-year cycle.

Australian Rugby Union spokesman Strath Gordon announced last week that the Lions had knocked back New Zealand's attempts to split their tours between Australia and New Zealand.

The Lions last toured New Zealand in 1993, and are due to play three-test series in Australia in 2001 and here in 2005.

But the NZRFU wants to split the tours so the Lions would play two tests in Australia and one in New Zealand in 2001, and vice versa in 2005.

The mini-tours would include a couple of non-test games against the likes of NPC, Maori, Academy or New Zealand A sides.

Tim Gresson, who with union chairman Rob Fisher represents New Zealand on the IRB executive council, has told the NZRFU that contrary to the Australian report, the Lions had not made a decision.

With the turmoil in European rugby, including the expulsion of England from the Five Nations competition because of a row over television revenue, nothing could be certain over fixture arrangements for future tours.

The international touring schedule is only in place until the end of this year.
NZRFU chief executive David Moffett said he was surprised the ARU had issued such a statement last week.

"We have been told by Tim Gresson that the decision has not yet been taken by the Lions," he said.

"We see the Lions as a huge part of the rugby scene and we would like them to visit more frequently than every 12 years.

"Australia were very much in favour of sharing the tours when we met with the Lions' management in Melbourne last year.

"We have put our case and are waiting for the reply."